Special Events
Friday | 4:00 PM
Cactus Cafe
Pre-Festival Student Summit
Enjoy a kickoff session with your fellow classmates, meet Tribune staff and find out how to get the most out of your Festival experience.
Learn more about the Festival student experience here.
Presented by AT&T, Okay to Say, the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, the New Politics Forum and the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation
Friday | 5:00 PM
Texas Union Theater
Live TribCast Recording
Before the opening keynote, Festival attendees are invited to join us for a special pre-Festival live recording of the Texas Tribune TribCast and The Ticket 2016, featuring Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner; state Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall; Sarah Isgur Flores, deputy manager for Carly Fiorina's presidential campaign; and Erick Erickson, conservative blogger and radio host, with music from the Bad Precedents. After the recording, walk over to the Hogg Memorial Auditorium for the opening keynote with Gov. John Kasich.
Supported by Pearson
Friday | 8:00 PM
Main Mall
Opening Night Party
Join us for a welcome reception under the tower lights on the UT Main Mall directly after Friday’s opening keynote. Mingle with the Festival’s speakers and moderators and the Tribune’s staff while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and cocktails provided by an array of restaurants.
Bites provided by Capra Lamb, Liberty Kitchen, Natural Epicurean, Hillside Farmacy, Uchiko, Freedmen's and Maudies. Beverages provided by Messina Hof Winery, the Beer Alliance of Texas and Tito's Vodka.
Presented by Toyota
Saturday | 8:00 AM
Texas Union, Lone Star Lounge
Lone Star Lounge — Student Headquarters
The Lone Star Lounge is your Festival headquarters. Network with other students, meet Festival speakers or sit back and enjoy refreshments before heading to the next panel.
Learn more about the Festival student experience here.
Presented by AT&T, Okay to Say, the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life and the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation
Saturday | 12:15 PM
Main Mall
Food Truck Lunch
Austin may be known as the live music capital of the world, but it’s also known for its diverse and gourmet food trucks. The Texas Tribune Festival is providing the adventure of eating at a food truck court. Be sure to bring cash for lunch and dessert from some of Austin’s most iconic food trucks at this special lunch curated by Austin’s own Tiffany Harelik, author of the Trailer Food Diaries Cookbook series.
During the lunch, check out hands-on demonstrations of the latest research and technology on campus at the UT Innovation Showcase, happening on the Tower plaza!
Presented by The University of Texas at Austin
Saturday | 5:30 PM
AT&T Center Courtyard
Courtyard Reception
Join your fellow Festival attendees directly after Saturday’s last session in the garden courtyard of the AT&T Center. Discuss the day and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This special reception is open to all Festival attendees.
Presented by The Boeing Company
Saturday | 7:30 PM
Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
TribFeast: A Dinner To Support Nonprofit Journalism
We’re excited to announce our first-ever TribFeast, headlined by Pulitzer Prize winner Maureen Dowd! This great evening will bring together thought leaders and philanthropists from around the state, including several of the elected officials, policymakers and big-brand journalists on the Festival program. Join us for what should be of one of the best parties of the year.
This event is not included in the regular Festival badge and requires an extra ticket. There will not be tickets available for purchase at the door.
Saturday | 7:30 PM
Scholz Garten
The Washington Post's Politics & Pints with Chris Cillizza: TTF Edition
After a full day of programming at the Festival, you are invited to join The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza as he hosts the wildly popular trivia night Politics & Pints. Bring your friends and test your knowledge on everything from current events to politics. Teams of up to six will compete for first- and second-place prizes, as well as special prizes for best team names.
Doors to the event will open at 7:30 p.m. at Scholz Garten on Saturday, September 24. Tickets are free with a Texas Tribune Festival pass and $10 at the door for the public.
Politics & Pints is supported by the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Prizes are generously provided by The W Hotel, Uchi, Freedmen's, Independence Brewing Company and SXSW Eco.
